...and it's back.
My guess is that the producers and writers knew that after such a long time between episodes, viewers were looking forward to slipping into Lost like a warm bath after a long day at work. A Hurley-centric episode was the perfect way to ease viewers back into the show that time forgot. They basically fleshed out the storyline from the season finale and only hinted at the new elements that are bound to crop up in season 4.
The writers were also careful to give just about every major character an important scene. After the hue and cry about not getting to see the beach enough during the first part of season 3, I'm not surprised. What they didn't do was put any sort of big WTF moment in the episode to throw viewers a curve-ball. Nope, last night was all batting practice pitches. After a long off season, it's just as well.
And to be fair, the season did start with a bang! Nuthin' says "Lost is back" like exploding fruit...
No, not this kind.
Just before we get into the recap proper, I think we need to take a quick look at ABC's hiatus bridge, the 13 "mobisodes" that they teased out over the last little while. Most of them just barely rose to the level of filler, but one or two seemed somewhat significant. For those that missed the mobisodes (worst manufactured word, ever, by the way) they are available at ABC.com although for the most part only die hard fans need to spend the time downloading and viewing them. The one with Jack and Ben playing chess is about the most interesting, highlighting a power struggle played out metaphorically on the chess board.
(*Chess geek side note - It appears that Ben cheats by castling, despite the fact that his king is sitting on its own colour which means that it has moved at some point. This makes castling an illegal move, but since Jack's king is also on its own coloured square I would bet that the prop guys simply don't play chess and accidentally set up the board with the kings on their respective colours rather than the queens as is proper.)
The other really interesting mobisode involves Christian Sheppard and Vincent. I won't spoil it for those that have yet to see it, but for those who have, it raises some very interesting possibilities and questions about the island that may have a direct impact on the season premier.
As for the episode, like I said earlier, it starts with a bang! A pile of lemons and limes (a reliable source says that it's actually a pile of papayas - I'm Canadian! What do I know from papayas?) sits in front of a tranquil ocean. Why are the lemons and limes piled like that? Was someone gathering food? Perhaps a non-combustable version of a signal fire? Did Jack once again beat Sawyer at fruity poker? Party sized margarita?
Nope. They're piled like that, in front of a painted ocean on the side of the fruit truck, so they can provide a colourful and loud target for a familiar vintage red Camaro to plow through at the front end of a high speed chase.
Dios mio!
Mixing a little vodka and O.J. (was it really necessary to juxtapose O.J. and a televised car chase?) for what I can only assume to be his breakfast, Jack watches the high speed chase and seems irritated by it.
The chase ends with the Camaro plowing into what looks like a roadside mirror sale. At this point veteran Lost fans have already jumped online and started googling "mirrors, through the looking glass, Alice in Wonderland, etc.... " but I think the setting for the crash was a bit subtler than that.
When the driver is ordered out of the car, the ever so slow reveal gives us...Hurley! Obviously, Jack's reaction was prompted by his recognition of Hurley's car. Once we see that it is Hurley we see why. It's the same Camaro that Hugo and his dad were working on together when Hugo was a boy.
Get off Cheech's ass, Jack.
Despite a bunch of guns and some pretty pissed off cops, Hurley runs! Again, this has to do with that subtle set up I mentioned.
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Comments (31)
Let me start by saying I'm glad you're back to recap. You point out things that sometimes I don't catch. Kudos for getting the recap up so fast too.
Hurley in slo-mo is a no-no! But he did look like a 10.....haha
I missed the hand message from Charlie when he was swimming towards Hugo in jail..... and I agree with you on Naomi's possible nine-lives like our one-eyed russian friend. I think he's still out there somewhere.
....and I wonder what the "Others" are doing while waiting for Ben.... I love this show.
1 of 31 | Posted by chooch850 | Posted on February 1, 2008 10:56 PM
Thanks Chooch!
It's nice to be back!
This week's ep didn't have the usual truckload of hidden tidbits, so there wasn't much to work with. Hopefully next week I'll be wearing out my google.
The hand thing was a shot in the dark. I didn't see anything when I watched the show, but had a sneaking suspicion, so freeze frame to the rescue.
I meant to post this in the recap, but forgot. Over the Fall, I did a couple of audio chats with two of the members of my own little discussion group. One has a wickedly well thought out Lost theory and the other is SUPER frustrated with the show. They were fun to do and hopefully fun to listen to.
You can find them (and a bunch of other stuff) at my blog. Just google my handle if you're interested.
2 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 2, 2008 6:59 AM
One more thing I think you may have missed. I could be wrong about it, but I ran it back in slo-mo. When Hurley looks into Jacob's cabin (before the eye startles him), there is a man sitting in the rocking chair. In profile, it looked dead on like Jack's father. His body was never found... could he be alive? Could that explain why Jack refers to him as alive in the future? Is he one of the Oceanic Six?
3 of 31 | Posted by Scarlet | Posted on February 2, 2008 7:00 AM
One more thing I think you may have missed. I could be wrong about it, but I ran it back in slo-mo. When Hurley looks into Jacob's cabin (before the eye startles him), there is a man sitting in the rocking chair. In profile, it looked dead on like Jack's father. His body was never found... could he be alive? Could that explain why Jack refers to him as alive in the future? Is he one of the Oceanic Six?
4 of 31 | Posted by Scarlet | Posted on February 2, 2008 7:00 AM
Scarlet -
You're right. After I finished the recap last night I ran across something about that, went back and took another look...
It certainly could be Christian. The white shoes and the shape of his hair are certainly consistant with him.
5 of 31 | Posted by Greybishop | Posted on February 2, 2008 8:10 AM
greybishop,
I have never posted on a site before and probably never will again but I just wanted to THANK YOU SO MUCH for coming back this year.I enjoy and learn things I missed from your recaps and want you to know that your hard work is very much appreciated
6 of 31 | Posted by marla | Posted on February 2, 2008 9:34 AM
Well, thank you Marla!
I appreciate the appreciation!
7 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 2, 2008 9:45 AM
Welcome back GB! Remember me?
A very solid episode all around. The "Oceanic Six" will be lots of fun to speculate about.
Someone pointed out to me that all shots of Jin were stock footage.
I'm kinda surprised Desmond went with Jack. Did he not take Charlie's warning seriously?
8 of 31 | Posted by Merick | Posted on February 2, 2008 11:35 AM
Here's my question. You talked about the Oceanic Six as survivors ... but, what if the secret they are all keeping, that Jack said he's tired of lying about, is that the rest of the survivors from the plane all chose to stay on the island? and that jack, kate, and hurley were three of the six that chose to leave, and they have to keep it a secret that the rest stayed?
9 of 31 | Posted by Mtwasik | Posted on February 2, 2008 11:52 AM
Hey Merick!
Thanks for the welcome!
I thought this episode felt very much like what we would have called a filler episode if it wasn't the season premier.
Good, but nothing earth-shattering came from it. The "Oceanic Six" is interesting, but not really a revelation since we already knew that some, but not all the survivors get back to civilization.
I definitely think that the writers and producers took all the complaints from last year seriously and gave us a more balanced opening show than what we got in season 3.
10 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 2, 2008 11:55 AM
Mtwasik:
I think that's a perfectly reasonable possibility.
11 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 2, 2008 11:59 AM
I, too, wanted to thank you for coming back and recapping, GB.
I had always pretty much assumed that Sawyer was off the island as well because of the way Kate & Jack spoke of her "getting away from 'him' without his knowing" or something close to that in the finale. They never mentioned him by name, but Kate said something about "him finding out" if she "keeps doing this" i.e. meeting up with Jack. I had assumed she continued her romantic relationship with Sawyer.
Thanks again for your hard work! I'll be checking out your blog again this year.
12 of 31 | Posted by ajkc41 | Posted on February 2, 2008 2:56 PM
ajkc41:
You are most welcome and thank you for the kind words.
I'm not sure about "him" being Sawyer though...
13 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 2, 2008 3:07 PM
it is jacks dad.
if you go to pink is the new blog, the guy does recaps and he has a picture of it in yesterdays entry
14 of 31 | Posted by catherined82 | Posted on February 2, 2008 3:30 PM
Hi all
Boy, did I have the warm and fuzzies getting to see Lost again... That said, I'll never be as hardcore as you, GB, so my own theories are based on nothing more than my gut feeling (and as a proud member of the Colbert Nation, that's good enough for me!)
Jack seemed a little too distraught in the last season finale to just feel guilty about keeping quiet about people wanting to stay on the island. I am wondering if he was given his own "Sophie's choice" and he had to choose the other people who would be taken off the island. I know spoilers have been posted, but of course he would choose Kate, Sun (to save her from dying in childbirth), and if he wanted to look like Mr. Selfless to Kate, Sawyer. Of course, there's Claire and Aaron... Hm. Tough decision. So did he pick Hurley over Sawyer? (well, it would make sense, because hey, who doesn't love Hugo?)
The idea that Christian isn't really dead, because after all, this is the Island Of Arbitrary Life Or Death and he is (living?) in Jacob's cabin is very intriguing... Of course, that would (SHUDDER!!!) open the door to the possibility of Nikki and Paulo returning. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
15 of 31 | Posted by sayhuh | Posted on February 2, 2008 11:35 PM
We waited over half a year for *THIS*?
16 of 31 | Posted by ubiquitous | Posted on February 3, 2008 5:40 PM
My theory is that those who were rescued off the island (the so-called Oceanic Six) promised each other that they would never talk about the horrible things that happened on the island (i.e. the others, the smoke, all those who mysteriously died, etc.). However, I also think that those survivors who stayed on the island did so without the rescuers' knowledge, and Oceanic Six did not disclose this information to anyone either. The whole "they need you" thing could be about the fact that the survivors were (are?) in some sort of danger.
17 of 31 | Posted by isayseriously | Posted on February 3, 2008 6:23 PM
I don't think that Claire/Aaron necessarily have to be one of the Oceanic 6. In Desmond's vision, he saw them getting on a helicopter, but that doesn't have to mean they were rescued, right? And if they were, would Aaron count as one of the 6 as he is an infant?
I was so happy to see Charlie in this episode. I hope he shows up again. :)
18 of 31 | Posted by snootchy bootches | Posted on February 4, 2008 2:09 AM
GB, great to have you, and Lost, back again.
It's cool that the parachuting rescuer is played by Jeremy Davies ("Rescue Dawn", "Saving Private Ryan"). Guy is a great actor. Hope it's not a spoiler but when I went to imdb to make sure it was him they only have him credited for 2 episodes.
19 of 31 | Posted by JasonR | Posted on February 4, 2008 7:06 AM
Great recap for an alright episode. Though I guess it was nice to ease back in after such a long time off.
Now, not that I'm agreeing with Locke, but if there is some doubt as to who these "people on the boat" are, isn't it smart to split into two groups? Doesn't it make sense to have everyone hold up in a defensible position while a small armed group goes and meets with these people and figures out if it's safe? That just seems obvious to me considering all the other trickery thats gone on throughout their time on the island.
I know it's all about the power struggle but in this case it seems splitting up is the most logical thing to do.
20 of 31 | Posted by MODULUS | Posted on February 4, 2008 9:05 AM
JasonR, MODULUS -
Thank you. It's nice being back.
21 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 4, 2008 9:17 AM
I think that one of the "oceanic 6" was the guy who died at the end of season three and Jack went to the funeral, but no one else was there. And, I think that it might be Locke. Kate said "Why would I go to his funeral" when Jack asked if she went. And, he had no relatives, which would explain why noone else was there. And, Jack described him as neither friend of family. I don't think he'd describe any of the other castaways in the same way, except maybe Sawyer, but then Kate would've went to his funeral . . .
That's my theory - in any event it makes sense that the dead guy was one of the six, since both Kate and Jack knew him, and his death was newpaper worthy.
22 of 31 | Posted by lawyergal | Posted on February 4, 2008 12:45 PM
I just had a thought. I wonder if Sun is one of the Oceanic 6. I cant remember if it showed them going with Locke or Jack, but I think it would make sense she would want to get rescued since all of the pregnant women die.
23 of 31 | Posted by catherined82 | Posted on February 4, 2008 2:01 PM
catherine.... as far as I could tell, a bunch of redshirts, Hurley, Claire & baby, Sawyer, Danielle, Carl, Alex and Ben were the ones to go with Locke.
24 of 31 | Posted by chooch850 | Posted on February 4, 2008 7:56 PM
GB! Great to read your recaps again!
MODULUS,
I totally agree with you about the seeming lack of caution in some of these people! And why, why, WHY does Jack not see this? I seems that there should always be "some doubt" about this island and everything having to do with it...
25 of 31 | Posted by qt | Posted on February 4, 2008 9:20 PM
I very seldom post comments for recaps because the sign-in is so hard. But Grey Bishop inspired me with an awesome recap. Plus, the sign-in seemed easier. Could it be? Here's hoping! Anyway, I loved the recap. I missed the writing on Charlie's hand so thanks for pointing that out. Mixing oj and a televised car chase was too wonderful, and for some reason, "the evil, evil rain" just made me laugh. Thanks for getting all the important info in there while still being funny and entertaining. I have always loved your recaps and I think they just got even better!
26 of 31 | Posted by LonnaSaur | Posted on February 5, 2008 11:04 AM
qt & LonnaSaur -
Thank you. It is nice to be welcomed back!
27 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 5, 2008 11:12 AM
I was just reading the comments from previouse seasons and like to see all the diffrent theories that are proven right and wrong.
28 of 31 | Posted by fawm316 | Posted on February 5, 2008 2:19 PM
GB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great to have you back. I have been on pins and needles waiting for Lost to come back and for your recaps to come back. I have no fascinating insights-just love to watch the show and this was a great episode....but
HOW DID THE OTHER CRAAAAAAZY GUY SEE CHARLIE?????
I hope the writer's strike doesn't cock up the season!
29 of 31 | Posted by jameswoods | Posted on February 5, 2008 4:55 PM
jameswoods -
Thanks!
As for the crazy guy seeing Charlie, I'd bet on one of two scenarios.
1) The crazy guy will turn out to be another figment of Hurley's imagination.
2) They'll explain that because of his "specially" wired brain, the crazy guy can see things that others don't. Hurley might be explained this way too...
30 of 31 | Posted by greybishop | Posted on February 6, 2008 8:03 AM
GreyBishop, I just read one of your Lost recaps(season 3 finale)for the first time. It was great! I like how you point out things that I didn't think about. OverAnalyzers unite!
My overall Lost theory is that the Losties are really the bad guys and the Others ARE the good guys as they keep claiming. Maybe the Lost writers/creator want us to identify with the bad guys (Losties) by getting to know them better than the Others so we'll think the Losties are good guys who've been forced by circumstance to do bad things. In other words, maybe the Losties are bad guys who act altruistically every now and then instead of the other way around.
All I know is that I can't resist mysteries and can't wait until the series finale when they (hopefully) tie this whole convoluted mess up.
31 of 31 | Posted by blahblah | Posted on February 14, 2008 12:25 PM